EVERTON FC are set to offer forward Jose Baxter a new two-year contract, keeping him at Goodison until 2014.

The 20-year-old academy graduate did enough during an impressive loan spell at Tranmere Rovers last year to convince David Moyes he can still be a long-term part of his first team squad.

Baxter, who is from Litherland, joined the League One outfit in September 2011 and went on to score on his debut against Preston North End, with then Rovers boss Les Parry extending the Prenton Park loan on several occasions.

However, the former England under-17s international was recalled by Moyes in January, and went on to shine for Alan Stubbs’ reserve side as the second-string went on an unbeaten 13-game run to finish third in their league.

Baxter has been rewarded for his efforts with a place on the bench for recent first team games against Stoke City and Wolves in the Premier League, and is now ready to put pen to paper on his contract.

He had previously become Everton’s youngest ever senior player after making his professional bow on the opening day of the 2008/09 season as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers aged 16.

Baxter was then named in the Blues starting line-up to play West Brom at The Hawthorns, becoming the youngest Everton player ever to start a game, and in March 2009 signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract.

Now he will hope to follow in the path of Leon Osman, who also completed loan spells away from Goodison in the early part of his career before going on to establish himself as a senior player under Moyes.